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The Voyageur Trail Society, Inc.
(VTSI) was established in 1986 to enhance winter trail opportunities in
and around Voyagers National
Park.
In 1994 the Society received recognition as a 501 (C) 3 organization.
To this end, the Society’s purpose shall be to “make wise use, preserve
and protect the historic and natural wonders and environment of Voyageurs
National Park and the
surrounding area for the enjoyment of future generations”.
Participation in the Society is open and free of charge to all that
share the Society purpose. Monthly meetings are held and the time and
place of each meeting can be obtained by calling the Society office at
218-993-2913.
Three primary programs have been developed to fulfill the Society’s
mission:
1. In 1994-95 the Society, in
collaboration with the National Park Service, State of Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources and area enthusiasts established a marked
groomed trail system on the frozen lakes of Voyageur
National Park. The trail system on the frozen lakes
is the first of its type authorized by law (Minnesota Legislature -
1994). Justification for the
establishment of the park trail system was to improve safety while
traveling on large lakes by enhancing day and night navigational
recognition for users and by establishing and adopting protocol and
training procedures to determine ice thickness and density using
nationally recognized standards allowed for marking trails and trail
maintenance. These actions have
enhanced user safety and enjoyment.
The Society operates three snowmobile-grooming tractors for trail
maintenance purposes in the National Park at no charge to the park or
public. The park trail system
consists of about 130 miles of trails, all of which are open to the
public. Upon the establishment of
the lake ice trail system the Society and National Park adopted the
slogan: “If It’s Marked, It’s Safe”!
2. The Society in
collaboration with the National Park Service annually prints navigational
maps. The "Voyageurs
National Park and Surrounding
Area Snowmobile Trail Map" features marked, groomed routes through
the park across frozen lakes as well as the on-land trails in the
surrounding area. The map is a
safety tool for park visitors.
The map highlights areas of unsafe ice, common off-trail landmarks
that assist off-trail users with navigation, and provides park users with
safety information and user etiquette.
Information about area businesses for users seeking shelter and
necessary services are also featured on the map. The map is distributed
free to the public and can be received by mail, by completing the "Request Info" form located
on this web site or from the National Park Service.
3. The Society and the
National Park Service conduct special safety training on the proper use
of motorized power equipment --such as chain saws and brush saws, as well
as for hand tools used for maintenance operations.
The Park and the Society provide training to area collaborators on the
establishment of protocol and implementation of practices to determine
when lake ice is thick enough for marking trails as well as when ice is
thick enough to operate grooming tractors across the frozen lakes for
maintenance purposes.
Emphasis has been placed on the involvement of youth ages 10-18 in all
aspects of the Society’s youth message and mission. Educating young people on snowmobile
safety, adherence to state and federal snowmobile laws and regulations
some specific to Voyageurs -- including the relationship between the use
of snowmobiles and the preservation of the environment has been
accomplished by partnering with the National Park Service, Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources and neighboring local units of government
and civic organizations. Special
emphasis has been given to training youth on ice safety protocol, park
etiquette and preservation of park resources.
The participants of the Society encourage everyone to visit the
Voyageurs National Park area. Traveling the vast Voyageur Trail system
consisting of miles of frozen lake and on-land trails through the rugged
landscape of a National Park and boreal forest wilderness will leave you
yearning for more. The
collaboration of the Society, National Park Service and others has
established Voyageurs as a safe and enjoyable destination for all persons. Please use the resources in a
responsible manner keeping safety as the centerpiece of your National
Park experience. Remember, “If
It’s Marked, It’s Safe”!
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